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By bt2001bt Sat Nov 27, 2010 6:39 pm
I have been looking to get an MPC and I have found several in different pawn shops. I’ve never used an MPC, so I’m spending a lot of time now reading the manuals and going through a lot of posts in this forum.

I have found an MPC2500 for around $400, an MPC1000 for around $500, and an MPC500 for $300. I’m currently doing my homework on each the those as far as the differences between each, and what to look for in the way of issues. I’ve not turned any of them on yet I will be going back to look at each in more detail and running some basic tests.

The 2500 seems to be under-priced and the shop has had it for several months so I’m most suspicious about that one. The other two seem to be reasonably priced if there are not any major issues with them – displays, pads, keys, data wheels, audio outs, etc. I’m assuming that the 1000 probably has the old style pads.

I can only afford to spend about $500 on one of these. I have to factor in possible problems with these as I decide what to buy. I’m going to look at the 1000 and 2500 first, and then the 500. If all of these are gone or have issues, I’ll end up buying a new 500.

What seems to be going prices for these? Thanks for the help.
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By picalo32 Sat Nov 27, 2010 7:08 pm
*MPC2500 for around $400* that must be a typo :? , The cheapest I've a 2500 go for was about 700 & 800, if it truly is for 400$ SOMETHING IS WRONG :shock: Here's what you do................ take a flash card with some sounds on it, a pair of headphones, and ask to turn them on, pop in your card load some sounds and check everything! if the dudes won't let you do that then they are rip offs!

If you live in the us you can call up Rouge music in Nyc....


http://www.roguemusic.com/sequencers.html

I got my mv8000, memory, extra stuff, etc, from those guys, never had a problem
By bt2001bt Sat Nov 27, 2010 7:32 pm
That's not typo. I was looking at it - it didn't have a price tag and they threw that offer out at me. They've had it for several months. I find it hard to believe that it would sit there that long without something being wrong with it. However, I'll at least do my due diligence and look at it a little more as you suggest - it doesn't hurt.

Right now, I plan on checking the 1000 out real closely. $500 doesn't seem bad if everything seems to be alright.

Thanks for the response and the link. I'll check those guys out also ...
By bt2001bt Mon Nov 29, 2010 2:07 am
Here's what you do................ take a flash card with some sounds on it, a pair of headphones, and ask to turn them on, pop in your card load some sounds and check everything!


I have some cf cards from old cameras, but I assume that it would need to be formatted in the 2500.

I have the 2500 factory stuff in a zip file that I got from a post. I'm guessing my first option is to try a demo song and presets by turning Autoload on, if they haven't been wiped out.

Otherwise it looks like I have to format the card in the 2500 and then return with some sounds on it or bring a laptop with me to the shop.

I'm assuming that I can test the individual outs of the 2500 with just headphones if I keep the levels down.

Any other advice on how to test without bringing a load of equipment with me would be appreciated.
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By NLSN Wed Dec 01, 2010 4:56 pm
I bought my 1000 for $385.
It came with the max ram, a 4gb CF card with shitty DMX samples in it and one busted pad.

I was lurking on ebay for a month or two
median price was around $425
you'll find some cheap mp's with flaws or that are just stock units
I assume you'll end up spending what you saved on repairs if choose cheap w/ flaws
By bt2001bt Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:05 am
I appreciate the replies. I won't be going the ebay route, only the pawn shop route so that I can try them out. Obviously, I'll only be able to check them out so far. I'll have to factor potential problems into what I'm willing to pay.

My fall back position is just to buy a new MPC500 so I don't feel pressured into buying a used MPC. This forum has been a treasure trove of information in helping me get ready to go try them out.

Thanks again ...
By goldslum Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:56 am
these guys are incorrect. don't just get the 2500 because it's cheap. you need to make sure every button functions properly, the sliders don't jump around midi notes like crazy when you move them up and down (seen it before)... the record inputs work, the sound output works, the headphones/flash card work.... alllll the buttons/pads function properly.... that it has 128mb ram installed (tells you on power up).... if it has a hard drive, etc.

you could easily put about $300 in to it if it's got issues...
By bt2001bt Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:39 pm
Thanks. It was gone pretty quickly. If I would have been a previous mpc owner, I would have been able to check it out pretty quickly and thoroughly. I was nervous about the things that could be wrong with it - based on the clearance price.

I ended up buying a new mpc500. So far, I'm enjoying it.
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By Funkydrops Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:38 am
bt2001bt wrote:Thanks. It was gone pretty quickly. If I would have been a previous mpc owner, I would have been able to check it out pretty quickly and thoroughly. I was nervous about the things that could be wrong with it - based on the clearance price.

I ended up buying a new mpc500. So far, I'm enjoying it.



Nothing bad on the MPC500, BUT OVERSLEEPING ON A WORKING 2500 FOR $400? I don't know.

Here in EU prices are higher that over there and still I got my used 2.5K (4GB CF,DVD,128MB,HD,JJOSXL) + a spare right PCB for 510EUR (from ebay).

It has been some month now that I'm daily abusing the beast and so far all ok.

Of course you bought a certain peace of mind buying new, but still...

PEACE
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By Jungleman Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:29 pm
Funkydrops wrote:Nothing bad on the MPC500, BUT OVERSLEEPING ON A WORKING 2500 FOR $400? I don't know.

Here in EU prices are higher that over there and still I got my used 2.5K (4GB CF,DVD,128MB,HD,JJOSXL) + a spare right PCB for 510EUR (from ebay).


Now that is a good price in EU. I paid 600 euros for my 2500 (128MB, JJ OS1, 3 years old, barely used) locally, haven't seen many go cheaper. Almost a year ago, that was.
By HP. Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:34 am
The 2500 is cheap but as everyone is saying, be cautious because its most likely cheap for a reason.

Also just because its got the most features on it doesn't mean you'll get the most out of it, its going to take time to learn to use any model so is it really worth getting one with a load of features you won't use for a long time? ???

I'd go for a 1000 and be prepared to upgrade the pads in the near future.
I have one and it does everything I need and want it to.

The 500 bought new has the warranty which provides peace of mind, and is portable which will be good if you wanna chuck it in your rucksack and make beats on the go.
I'm thinking about getting a 500 to use in my garden so I can stop using extension leads to make beats on my 1000 out in the sun rather than the dark room I call my studio :D
I've never used a 500 though so are not going to recommend it fully as I can't speak from experience.